“One thing I’ll say that’s happening already is there are farmers that are not getting financed this year, and they’re not going to be farming next year. If you look at Interstate 40 south down to the north of Louisiana, somewhere between 15% and 20% of those farmers for one ag lender I’m pretty familiar with, 20% of their portfolio of farmers are not getting financing this year. Those farmers won’t be farming. That’s obviously a concerning thing.”
Read MoreEconomists say America is in a new trade war with countries like China, Canada and Mexico. Tariffs and retaliatory tariffs play a big part in that, and Louisiana farmers could be impacted.
Donald Schexnayder and his brothers have been farmers in Erwinville for more than 40 years. They grow a variety of crops, including soy, corn, and wheat. Factors like weather and market fluctuations can make farming less predictable than other industries.
Read MoreBehind a library in the community of Innis, Louisiana, a new colorful story walk lines the sidewalk. Children and parents have the opportunity to stay healthy by strolling or running along with the story as the library tries to bring more people through its doors.
Read MoreThe Louisiana Crawfish Festival is tightening enforcement of state seafood labeling laws after one vendor was caught selling imported Chinese crawfish Friday evening without displaying the required signage.
Read MoreWe write to urge your swift compliance with the orders issued by the United States District Court for the Northern District of California in American Federation of Government Employees et al. v. United States Office of Personnel Management et al. (25-1780) and by the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) in Special Counsel ex rel. John Doe v. Department of Agriculture (CB-1208-25-0020-U-2) to reinstate terminated probationary employees at the Department of Agriculture (USDA), with specific emphasis on reinstalling agricultural inspectors with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). APHIS inspectors perform critical work protecting public health, ensuring food safety, and maintaining the integrity of the agricultural industry and economy, and we strongly urge every action to return USDA’s animal and plant inspection processes to their full capacity.
Read MoreSterlington High School is expanding its agriculture department. The departments includes programs for trade skill such as welding and carpentry.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced key presidential appointments to the Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) mission area. These appointees will lead efforts to advance President Trump’s America First agenda and ensure that farmers, ranchers, and producers have the support they need to keep feeding, fueling, and clothing America.
Read MoreHowdy folks. Meteorologist Nick Mikulas here to discuss some Louisiana weather. We had our first Red Flag Warning of the year for the southern half of the state on Thursday, and I don’t like seeing things like that so early in the season. It looks like we have some rain that will help that situation from late Sunday into early Monday. Unfortunately, with that, comes a chance for severe weather.
Read MoreSince 2006, the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture has been on a mission to build awareness and understanding of agriculture through education. Now we are taking these efforts to the next level to ensure that U.S. agriculture remains a leader in innovation, sustainability and global food security. Our goal is to see agriculture applied in STEM classrooms around the country.
Read MoreThese hot, dry conditions have kept firefighters busy across the Caddo Parish.
Just after 4pm on Wednesday, Shreveport Firefighters responded to a woods fire near Linwood and Bert Kouns. Calls came in about heavy black smoke coming from a wooded area behind Brookshire’s.
Read MoreWith avian flu wiping out chicken populations and driving up egg prices, people have been struggling for solutions. US Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr has suggested that instead of culling birds that are affected, farmers should consider letting the disease run through the flock to identify and preserve birds that are immune to it.
Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain emphasizes the terrible impact that would have on the industry thusly: “There might be two chickens left when it’s over.”
Read MoreGrowing zones, also referred to as hardiness zones, are geographical areas categorized based on average annual minimum winter temperatures in order to determine which plants are likely to thrive in a specific region.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has a Plant Hardiness Zone Map that divides the U.S. into 13 different zones, which helps gardeners choose plants that can survive in their respective climate.
Read MoreLouisiana 5th District Congresswoman Julia Letlow sent a letter this week to the Acting Administrator of the Farm Service Agency in an effort to expedite approval of USDA guaranteed crop loans as farmers begin planting.
Read MoreRice planting got off to a delayed start this year in Texas and southwest Louisiana because of wet and cool conditions early, but it is pedal to the metal this week as growers work to get seeds in the ground.
In Texas, planting progress west of Houston is all over the board with some farmers finished (L.G. Raun in El Campo, and Allen Anderson in East Bernard) to some who have not yet started. A common theme is lack of ground moisture, with several farmers saying they delayed planting because of lack of soil moisture, but with no rain in the forecast, they will plant dry and plan to flush fields for seed germination.
Read MoreThe 2025 Feeding the Economy report continues to show that the U.S. food and agriculture sector is a foundational pillar of American culture and commerce. These industries directly support over 24 million jobs (15% of U.S. employment) and are responsible for more than $9.5 trillion of the country’s economic activity – about one-fifth of total U.S. output.
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